Haptic shape discrimination and interhemispheric communication.

摘要: In three experiments participants haptically discriminated object shape using unimanual (single hand explored two objects) and bimanual exploration (both hands were used, but each hand, left or right, a separate object). Such haptic (one versus hands) requires somatosensory processing in either only one both cerebral hemispheres; previous studies related to the perception of shape/curvature found superior performance for exploration, indicating that comparison is more effective when hemisphere utilized. The current results, obtained naturally shaped solid objects (bell peppers, Capsicum annuum) simple cylindrical surfaces demonstrate otherwise: can be as showing there no necessary reduction ability interhemispheric communication. We while successive produced high discriminability, participants’ deteriorated simultaneous comparisons. This outcome suggests interference need attend multiple simultaneously reduces discrimination ability. results also reveal significant effect age: older adults’ abilities are moderately reduced relative younger adults, regardless how manipulated (left only, right exploration).